Packing_and_Shipping_Pre-proposal_Questions_and_Answers_Q As.pdf

U.S. Embassy Bogota Packing and Shipping Services

S-CO200-14-R-0003

Pre-proposal Conference Questions and Answers

Supplemental Handout Documents

June 11, 2014

Question #1: Are bidders permitted to put any value they consider reasonable for each service?

Answer: Yes, but please keep in mind that the Government will select the vendor(s) who offers the lowest priced, technically acceptable proposals.

Question #2: Should contractors base their measurements on the actual items being packed or on the items after they are packed in boxes or crates?

Answer: The measurements reported by vendors should reflect the item and the packaging. Therefore, measurements should be taken after items are packed.

Question #3: What are the important considerations when subcontracting with a company? Are these companies required to be registered in the System for Award Management

(SAM)?

Answer: Subcontractors must satisfy all requirements delineated in the solicitation.

However, subcontractors are not required to register in SAMS.

Question #4: Does the possibility exist to adjust the contract when there is a national transportation strike or the prices of fuel increase?

Answer: No, there is no Economic Price Adjustment under this contract solicitation.

Question #5: In determining lowest priced, technically acceptable, will proposals be evaluated on the base year only, or the base year and all option years?

Answer: When evaluating proposal costs, the U.S. Government assess the base year and all option years of the contract. It is important that you avoid flat-lining costs and project the costs over the entire contract, i.e., base and each option year.

Question #6: What is the basis for required insurance coverage? Is it the total value of the contract or some other amounts?

Answer: The required minimum insurance coverage – third party liability, comprehensive general liability and employer liability, and EPS-ARP Workman’s Compensation, under the solicitation can be found in H.4 – Lawful Operation, Permits, and Indemnification.

Question#7: Is it possible that a vendor can request a price adjustment during the contract?

Answer: No, there is no economic price adjustment under this contract.

Questions #8: Will more than one award be made? If so, how will the value of the contract be allocated among the selected vendors?

Answer: Yes, it is the intent of the U.S. Government to make multiple awards.

Question #9: How many vendors are likely to be selected? How will vendors be selected to deliver services under the contract?

Answer: It is likely that a minimum of four awards will be made with the possibility of this number increasing into 5. Task orders under multiple award IDIQ contracts will be awarded in accordance with Section G.3 Selection Of Awardee For Individual Task Orders.

Question #10: Are bidders required to translate the Chamber of Commerce and Financial Statements into English?

Answers: No, bidders are not required to translate certifications, permits and financial statements into English. However, your technical and price proposal must be in English.

Question #11: May we add, delete or change the price section spreadsheet to include or omit information?

Answer: No, do change any aspects of the pricing section. This is static and must be reported as presented in the solicitation. It is important that you complete each section, that you provide the total for the base and each option year as well as calculate the grand total. You are encouraged to check the math.

Question #12: How many incidence of non-compliance/performance will determine the suspension penalty? How will vendors be notified of the start date of 30 suspension period?

Answer: After the second incident of non-compliance, the contract will be placed on suspension. The contractor will notified by the COR, in writing, of the start and end date of the suspension.

Question #13: Are contractors expected to deliver services on Colombian and American holidays?

Answer: Please see Section I.3 for the recognized American and Colombian holidays.

Currently, contractors are not expected to deliver services on these dates.

Question #14: During “high season” is it possible to have more than 24-hour advance notice of requested services?

Answer: No, contractors must accommodate to Embassy’s needs, please refer to

Section F.3 for Delivery Schedule.

Question #15: Does the administrator of the contact need to be the Legal Representative?

Answer: No, this person should be someone who is familiar with the day-to-day operations of the contract and who understands the terms and conditions and quality assurance objectives.

Note: Please also see the attached guidance from the U.S. Customs and Border

Protection agency regarding new requirements for High Security Bolt Seals.